How difficult is it to study to become a lawyer? -

I m commencing with my first year LLB (Law studies in South Africa) in a few days and I m quite nervous. I am intelligent and I achieved outstanding results in Matric(final year of highschool in South Africa) yet I can t help feeling insecure. How challenging is it really? Obviously it s not nearly as hard as Engineering or Medicine etc.? Is it realistic to presume that because I had distinctions in everything during highschool that university will be relatively smooth sailing?

As a student in their final semester at a first tier law school, I can answer this question well. Getting into law school is hard. Getting good grades in law school is even harder. However, simply graduating from law school is not very difficult. Very few students ever get quot;flunkedquot; or asked not to return. If you are willing to do the work (I estimate I spend 40-50 hours on my studies), you should be fine. This being said, law school grades are extremely important to your career path. If you don t get good grades, your chances of being able to do what you want to do as a lawyer significantly decrease.

Just like your other schooling, if you work hard at it you will achieve academic success. Being a practicing attorney is difficult at times, but manageable. Don t be discouraged, but don t expect smooth sailing either. The work you put in will be proportionate to the results. Good luck.

VERY hard.

Be afraid...be VERY afraid. I got a criminal law degree and I JUST got out of that without paying for extra courses. Just barely. And that s just criminal law. I m guessing you re study all sorts of law from criminal to civil to family. Good luck.